Keeping the school downtown, with Option 3 -- involving eminent domain proceedings against the doctors' building at 75 Arcand Drive -- has Kennedy, Samaras, John Leahy and Jim Milinazzo in its corner.

That's 4-4, for those keeping track.

The key vote, right now, belongs to Councilor Corey Belanger.

Insiders have speculated that Belanger -- who just manages to crack the top nine in the city election every two years -- will read the political tea leaves in voter-rich Belvidere and back downtown.

But for Option Three to be ultimately successful, six votes are needed to take a building by eminent domain.

That could explain why Kennedy, the mayor, has been doing some politicking in favor of another downtown option, Option Two, which calls for renovation and a new addition.

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Kennedy could not be immediately reached for comment Monday. But two sources told The Sun that Kennedy is indeed preparing an Option Two alternative should Option Three not receive the complete support it needs.

It's very unlikely either councilors Rourke, Mercier and Elliott will leave the Cawley reservation. Insiders say the weakest link in the group is Leary, who could join a downtown faction if Cawley gets stuck at four votes

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